Knowledge and experience are the keys to successful real estate transactions. Having a REALTOR®, with experience and training as your Buyer’s Agent can be the essential key to your success. We are both Realtors ®!

One of the keys to making the home buying process easier and more understandable is planning. In doing so, you'll be able to anticipate requests from other professionals during this process. Using an experienced REALTOR® will help you discover valuable shortcuts in the home buying process.

You should understand everything that is happening in the home buying process. You will learn new terms and take the time to understand what you’re getting into. If something doesn’t make sense to you, just ask for an explanation. Any professional should have no issues with explaining what they are doing.

Knowing What You Want will save you time.
Whether you are a first-time homebuyer or entering the marketplace as a repeat buyer, you need to ask why you want to buy. Are you planning to move to a new community due to a lifestyle change or is buying an option and not a requirement? What would you like in terms of real estate that you do not now have? Do you have a purchasing timeframe?

Whatever your answers, the more you know about the real estate marketplace, the more likely you are to effectively define your goals.

Do You Have The Money?
Homes and financing are closely intertwined. The good news is that over the years new and innovative loan programs have evolved which require a 5 percent down payment or less. In fact, a number of programs now allow purchasers to buy real estate with nothing down.

In addition to a down payment, purchasers also need cash for closing costs (the final costs associated with closing the loan). Several newly emerging loan programs not only allow the purchase of a home with no money down, but also underwrite closing costs.

Not everyone, however, elects to purchase with little or no money down. Less money down means higher monthly mortgage payments, so most homebuyers choose to buy with some cash up front.

Get Your Financial House in Order.
You need good credit. For at least one year prior to purchasing a home, you should assure that all of your monthly debt is paid on time each and every month, from your rent, car, utilities and credit card bills. If you have not started savings, try paying yourself each month to build money to help with inspections, credit reports, down payment and closing cost. Having some money set aside will be a great relief to you in this process.

Contact a mortgage company to see where you are on being “Pre-approved”. This will tell you your starting point. You may be ready to shop for your home today, or you may need to make a plan for 3-4 months. Whatever the answer is, you will have the power to make a plan that works for you. Not all mortgage companies are the same, do yourself and your finances a favor and look around. What sounds like a good deal today, may not be the best deal for you.